There is no question that this is a tough time for us all. During these unprecedented times, there seems to be little we can do to control our environment or to better ourselves and our family, but that would not be entirely true.
The good news is that we can and do have control of our outlook and how we view what’s going on around us. In fact, many studies have proven that positive thinking helps with handling stress and has a direct impact on our health.
The health benefits of positive thinking range from lower stress, fewer skin issues, lower depression rates, and mental distress while improving our resistance to sickness, improving cardiovascular health, and providing an overall better psychological and physical sense of wellbeing.
This all sounds great, but how do I apply positive thinking in an environment such as the COVID-19 pandemic? Here are a few suggestions to consider:
- Identify & Stop Negative Self-Talk
- Think in Terms of the Glass Half-Full vs. Half-Empty
- Try Not to Personalize Situations Which Are Out of Your Control
- Avoid Catastrophic Thinking
- Create a Gratitude Journal
- Identify Topics to be More Positive About
- Try Humor!
- Find the Silver Lining
- Practice Positive Thinking
There are many great resources and articles written about the power of being positive as well as health care professionals who can help you along your positivity journey. It is important to mention that sometimes situations and events are larger than we are, and require perhaps more than just a positive outlook. If you are having trouble sorting out your emotions and feelings or have experienced loss during this time, please seek the support of family, friends, and professional care.
